Phillips raising his game by mixing it with Scotland’s Old Firm big boys
EVERYONE has a Neil Warnock story, including Killian Phillips who played under the well-travelled manager for a month at Aberdeen, where he is on loan from Crystal Palace. ‘We were playing Kilmarnock in the (Scottish) Cup, and he (Warnock) told me he spoke to Palace before the game,’ said Phillips. ‘I asked him what did he say, and he says, “I told them you were s***e!”,’ said Phillips with a smile. ‘I enjoyed Warnock. You don’t get to be a manager for that long and still be around the game at 76 if you’re not a good manager. ‘It was unbelievable to learn from him and the little things he gave me.
Neil was a very good coach as well. He was honest and I’d rather someone be honest to your face and tell you out straight how it is.’ Midfielder Phillips played 90 minutes for the Dons in their 3-1 win over Kilmarnock, which marked Warnock’s only win in eight games as interim manager. Ironically, it was also his last as he resigned an hour after the final whistle. ‘He was sound with me. It was tough because we were on a bad run but the boys really enjoyed him and we were sad to see him go.’ Warnock, who had replaced Barry Robson, has been succeeded by Peter Leven in a caretaker role. ‘It’s the first time in my career that a manager has been sacked with me,’ said Phillips. ‘It has been a bit tough having three managers in nearly 40 days but I’m settling in well and thankfully starting games. ‘I had about four managers in my whole career and now I’ll probably have another one in the next couple of weeks. ‘It’s been difficult but we have a really good group at Aberdeen, all the lads are sound, Jamie McGrath is a legend. ‘Everyone knows how much the club means to the people of Aberdeen.’ ‘My first start was against Celtic and we got a good result there. Our fans were brilliant. Then we
went to Rangers at Ibrox on the Tuesday, came out with a 2-1 loss but we were decent in that game as well. ‘High profile games like that are what every player wants to play in so it will sit well with me for the rest of my career.’ Dubliner Phillips, 21, is on country call this week with the Ireland Under 21s, who, at the half-way point of the Euro 2025 qualification, are second to Italy in Group A. Nothing less than a win away to San Marino tomorrow will do. ‘When you look at the table we probably should be higher with our performances. ‘It’s five games left so it’s five cup finals, 15 points to play for and it starts on Friday.’